Tobacco lobbyists; sexually abusive homes; A.I. in schools

Naval service names online; wind farm objections; most annoying phrases

The names of dozens of Defence Forces personnel, including those involved in intelligence work and sensitive counterdrug smuggling operations, are being published online by the European Union, triggering safety concerns among members. A chill wind – why are wind farms drawing so many objections [https://irishtimes.com/environment/climate-crisis/2026/05/27/a-chill-wind-why-are-wind-farms-drawing-so-many-objections-in-a-time-of-climate-crisis/] at a time of climate crisis? Does your household have the “two good salaries, but still feel broke” [https://irishtimes.com/your-money/2026/05/27/the-two-good-salaries-but-still-broke-problem-whats-behind-it-and-what-can-you-do/] problem? You’re not alone. Financial planners say they are meeting an increasing number of comparatively high-earning households who say they’re still feeling the pinch. An email has kicked off a deluge of Letters to the Editor from readers who have “reached out” to express their irritation “in terms of” the most annoying phrases [https://irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/05/27/the-phrases-readers-wish-would-disappear-from-public-life/] people are using in 2026. Presented by Aideen Finnegan. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Is Sinn Féin still seen as left wing? New anti-drone technology for the defence forces

There are tensions between left wing parties and Sinn Fein on the policy direction of Mary Lou McDonald’s party following its performance in the Dublin Central and Galway West byelections. Ireland’s Defence Forces are ramping up anti-drone measures to prepare for new threats. A search for the body of Seamus Maguire, one of the so-called disappeared who were murdered and buried in secret during the troubles, is to begin. Proposals to fund graduate-entry medical fees in exchange for mandatory service is being criticised as missing the point on why doctors leave Ireland. A Department of Enterprise presentation seen by The Irish Times shows growth in employment could be about to slow significantly.   ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Kyne and Ennis elected to the Dáil; HSE waiting lists; the trial of Jeffrey Donaldson

The Dáil has two new TD’s; Daniel Ennis from the Social Democrats and Sean Kyne from Fine Gael. Political correspondents Cormac McQuinn and Marie O’Halloran explain who they are. Plans to rezone a stretch of protected land along Dublin’s Liffey Valley could deliver a significant windfall for billionaires John Magnier and JP McManus. New figures from the HSE show more than 32,000 adults in Ireland are waiting over a year for an initial primary care assessment. Irish activists returned home on Saturday, following their detention in Israel after attempting to reach Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla aiming to deliver aid. The trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson begins this week.  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Polls open in byelections; Paul Rudd on filming in Dublin; Under the Hawthorn Tree

Voters in Dublin and Galway are going to the polls in two byelections [https://irishtimes.com/politics/2026/05/21/voters-in-galway-west-and-dublin-central-byelections-go-to-the-polls/] on Friday after intense canvassing in the closing days of the campaign and efforts by candidates to ensure their supporters turn up to vote. The Government has exceeded its annual spending target [https://irishtimes.com/business/2026/05/22/government-exceeds-annual-budget-by-average-of-51bn-since-2023/] by an average €5.1 billion in each of the last three budgets [https://www.irishtimes.com/budget/], new figures from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac) indicate. Meanwhile, spending in the justice and transport areas seem set to be hit by the impact of the new levy being imposed across Government to offset a €640 million overrun in the education sector, an initial breakdown of the new savings being sought suggest. Ask any millennial which novels they remember reading as a child, and odds are they’ll list the fictional famine tale Under the Hawthorn Tree as one of them. In today’s Me Myself and Ireland [https://irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2026/05/22/marita-conlon-mckenna-i-write-what-i-see-and-what-i-feel-i-can-sense-things-i-always-have/], its author Marita Conlon McKenna says the inspiration to write it came during a ghostly dream. “I’m such a fan of this city and this country,” actor Paul Rudd tells Tara Brady [https://irishtimes.com/culture/film/2026/05/22/paul-rudd-on-filming-at-dundrum-town-centre-there-was-something-specifically-irish-about-it-it-was-kind-of-a-hoot/] while speaking about his new movie Power Ballad, which was filmed on location in Dublin. Presented by Aideen Finnegan ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Meta job losses; RTÉ salary row; more registered voters that residents in some areas

Meta is to cut 350 jobs from it’s Irish workforce amid a global round of layoffs affecting around 8000 roles worldwide. RTÉ has faced tough questions at an Oireachtas committee about newly disclosed salaries. More than 40 leading climate scientists are warning Ireland against adopting a controversial new way of measuring greenhouse emissions. Planned changes to the electoral register following revelations that there are more registered voters than residents in some areas. When might the result of the Dublin Central and Galway West byelection results be announced? ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.